Beach Reconstruction at Curacao Marriott
 

Does anyone have information about this project to be done at the end of March, which apparently will involve closing off the beach at Curacao Marriott and bringing in heavy machinery to haul in tons of sand and reconstruct the beach? I am worried about noise and diesel fumes, as well as loss of beach access.

Any info out there?

I just returned from the Marriott - it could use some reconstruction !! and rat extermination !

Sue... please elaborate... what's the deal with the Marriott? I'm considering going there or the Caymans - your suggestion?

The Curacao Marriott guest services manager just confirmed in an email that they have decided to do the "heaviest" work (i.e., the noisiest work) between 5 pm and 9 pm (when most guests will likely be out for dinner) to minimize the disruption and noise during the part of the day when people would want to relax outside in the sun. I think this is good news. I wonder if this is due to adverse customer reactions to their initial plans to do this work fro 9 am to 5 pm every day, which seemed a strange thing to do during high season. They also said the Seabreeze bar and restaurant near the pool would be open during the day but closed at 5 pm due to the outside work, with other bars to be open in the evening.

Expedia is saying the same thing about the early evening work schedule for the beach project. They are also saying that an area of the beach will be accessible for "sunset viewing" each evening.

What's wrong with their beach? I was also considering going there but chose T&C instead this year. Still considering it for another time though.

Just curious,,,,

According to Expedia, the project(expected to take about 2 to 2.5 weeks) is intended to remove rocks and coral brought in by the winter currents and increase the beach area by adding 40 metric tons of sand.

I just returned from a 2 week stay at the Hilton. Now, perhaps they have changed there scheduling plans for the work but I can confirm that last Saturday a steam-shovel worked all day on the beach area where the Marriott and Hilton properties join. Absolutely ruined our last day at the beach.

Alanb -- the Seabreeze bar and restaurant is on the left side of the pool nearest to rooms numbered 150 - 160 if I remember correctly (we were in room 154 - 1st floor beachfront which was about 4 - 6 rooms down from that restaurant). I assume they have a serious need to reconstruct the beach right in front of the pool because the water/rocks were very close to the pool when I was there a year ago. If I were you, I would request a room on one of the ends of the resort -- as far to the right or left as you can get (at the far left of the resort the rooms are right near a public beach, they probably won't be working on that). This is as you face the ocean. The far right the beach is wide and probably has less need for reconstruction. Good news about only doing the work at night, I think this is a good call on the part of the Marriott. Have a great time and be sure to check out the restaurants in the Kura Hulanda complex a really interesting place with great atmosphere.

Thanks again for the help -- we have a reservation for a beachfront room at the Marriott (at a great AAA rate) and we have requested the west wing, based on advice from a bunch of postings. We had a backup reservation at the Hilton that we had made when we heard about the beach project, but we just cancelled it -- I hope this turns out to be the right decision.

We are going to the Marriott Curacao from March 28 - 25. The beach reconstruction will begin on the 20th and run through the 31st. We were not notified of the reconstruction. I have call Marriott Corporate to complain. I am told that a small piece of the beach will be open. They will also provide shuttle service to other beaches. Obviously, not the kind of vacation that one expects when making plans to stay at a Caribbean resort. I have also asked about the rat problem - twice and gotten no response. If we could change our plane reservations and go elsewhere, we would

The Seabreeze bar and restaurant at the pool may be closed entirely for the next few weeks -- the Marriott staff in Curacao says they'll instead be serving lunch at the Palm Cafe (normally open only for breakfast) -- the story seems to change several times each day.

The hotel now says that Seabreeze bar and restaurant should be open most of the time -- if the Seabreeze is closed at all during the day, they will serve lunch in the Palm Cafe (normally used only for breakfast) and set up an outdoor bar near the pool.

Alanb, would you email me directly? We are leaving tomorrow for the Marriott and they have told us there are no beachfront reservations available. [email protected]

I just emailed as requested.

Marriott website is showing beachfrom rooms available now for next week.

Just talked to the Marriott in Curacao tonight. They tell me that the beach reconstruction has been postponed until September

Well, that's a smart move on their part, folks paying high season rates do not want their vacation ruined by equipment on the beach. Please post a report when you return and have a wonderful time!

Marriott Customer Service also confirms that the project has been posponed. Yeah!